Powder shaker apparatus

ABSTRACT

A powder shaker apparatus dispenses powder or granular materials from a container equally at a desired amount and rate. An actuator, which generates rotary motion, is located inside a cylindrical body. A transmission shaft which connects the actuator to a distributing element transmits the rotary motion from the actuator to the distributing element. The distributing element moves and guides the material accumulated on the upper cover towards the holes on the upper cover. The upper cover, which is located under the body dispenses powder or granular material through the holes formed on the upper cover. Alternatively, a lower cover attached to the lower section of the upper cover in a rotatable manner helps with adjusting the amount of powder material to be dispensed or completely stops the flow depending on the position of holes on the lower cover compared to the position of holes formed on the upper cover.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electromechanical shaker apparatus, which ensures controlled, equal and quick release of powders or granular materials.

PRIOR ART

Powder materials such as powder, hair fibre and salt are kept in a container, and distributed by way of shaking out through holes. This method of application involves problems in adjusting the amount of powder poured and locking on to the preferred area to pour the powder. Moreover, pouring of the powder varies depending on the amount of material inside the container or vessel. Pouring becomes harder when the container is full or contains a small amount of material.

Research on prior art literature has revealed the patent application no. TR2003/00274. The said patent application relates to a push type salt shaker for pouring a desired amount of table salt during food consumption, wherein pushing the button at the top side of the push type salt shaker single or multiple times as desired moves the table salt inside the reservoir at the lower end of the pin downwards, and adjusts the amount of salt to be poured.

The research has revealed another patent application no. TR2005/02845. This patent application relates to a double-function salt and pepper shaker, comprising a salt shaker lid or pepper shaker lid with holes, a button located at the centre of the salt and pepper shaker lid, a shaker connected to the button which operates by turning the button, and a body wherein the said shaker performs rotary motion.

Another invention no. U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,205B2 relates to an electric pepper mill, comprising a conductor which activates the electric circuit when turned upside down, and deactivates the electric circuit in an upright position.

Research on prior art has revealed another patent application no. U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,871A from the United States. This invention relates to an advanced manual or electric pepper mill equipped with a particle size adjustment mechanism under the base of grinder to obtain spice powder at a desired size.

None of the aforementioned patent applications contains an electromechanical apparatus to ensure equal distribution of powder material as desired.

Consequently, the above disadvantages and the shortcomings in existing solutions necessitate an improvement in the field.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to ensure controlled and equal dispensation of powder or granular materials at the desired amount irrespective of the amount of powder or granular materials inside. The present invention keeps the amount of powder to be dispensed at the desired level by means of adjustable lids with holes.

Another purpose of the present invention is to distribute the powder or material in a quicker manner at a shorter time.

The invention is a shaker apparatus to ensure dispensation of powder or granular materials from a container equally at a desired amount and rate to serve the above purposes, basically comprising;

-   -   a body to store and release the material to be dispensed,     -   an actuator (motor) to perform rotary motion using energy drawn         from a connected power supply,     -   an upper cover disposed at the lower portion of the body,         wherein powder or granular material is dispensed through holes         formed on it,     -   a distributing element located on the upper cover, which moves         and guides the material accumulated on the upper cover towards         the holes formed on the upper cover,     -   a transmission shaft connecting the actuator to the distributing         element, which transmits the rotary movement from actuator to         distributing element, and     -   a holding element attached to the lower portion of the body,         which contacts a button located at the lower section of the         motor that readies the motor for operation and stores the         material to be dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Is a general view of the assembled powder shaker apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 Is a sectional view of the assembled powder shaker apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 3 Is a disassembled view of the powder shaker apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 4 Is a disassembled view of covers of the powder shaker apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 5 Is an assembled view of the support member and distributing element of the powder shaker apparatus according to the invention.

List of Reference Numerals 10. Powder shaker apparatus 20. Body 21. Upper body 22. Lower body 30. Trigger element 40. Actuator 41. Button 50. Support member 60. Spring 70. Upper cover 71. Lower cover 80. Holding element 90. Fixing element 100. Distributing element 110. Transmission shaft 120. Battery

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

General view of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, whereas the sectional view is shown in FIG. 2, whereby the invention is related to a powder shaker apparatus (10) to dispense powder (powder, hair fibre, etc.) or granular materials equally at a desired amount. The powder shaker apparatus (10) according to the present invention comprises a two-part body (20) which contains all elements. The attachable and detachable two-part body comprises an upper body (21) which holds an actuator (40), and a lower body (22) which stores the material to be dispensed in a holding element (80). A button holder is located at the top portion of the upper body (21). An actuator (40) generates rotary motion using energy drawn from a connected power supply to rotate a distributing element (100) located on the upper cover (70). A trigger element (30) on the body (20) controls the operation of the actuator (40). The holding element (80) attached to the lower portion of the body (20) contacts a button (41) located at the lower section of the actuator (40) which readies the actuator (40) for operation. Thus, actuator (40) is readied for operation. When the trigger element (30) is pushed, a circuit breaker located under the motor (actuator (40)) goes into pressed position and the motor starts. Otherwise, the circuit breaker prevents the motor from starting. Rotary motion generated by the actuator (40) is transmitted to the distributing element (100) by means of a transmission shaft (110) connecting the actuator (40) to the distributing element (100). The distributing element (100), moves and guides the powder material accumulated on the upper cover (70) towards the holes formed on the upper cover (70). Powder material is dispensed through holes formed on the upper cover (70) which is located under the body (20).

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of elements constituting the powder shaker apparatus (10). A lower cover (71) attached to the lower section of the upper cover (70) in a rotatable manner helps with adjusting the amount of powder material to be dispensed depending on the position of holes on the lower cover (71) compared to the position of holes formed on the upper cover (70). As shown in FIG. 4, the upper cover (70) and the lower cover (71) are tied together, preferably by means of a metal fixing element (90) located on a slot between the upper cover (70) and the lower cover (71). The fixing element (90) also serves to fix the distributing element (100). A cylindrical holding element (80) located inside the lower portion of the body (20) holds the material to be dispensed within a wall such as a foil. Upper portion of the holding element (80) contains a space where the transmission shaft (110) passes through, and the lower portion includes an opening for the support member (50). The foil which holds the powder material that passes through the transmission shaft (110) to the holding element (80) widely opens at the upper portion of the cone-shaped support member (50) at the lower section, and pours the powder material to the distributing element (100) through the opening at the lower section of the support member (50).

A spring (60) is positioned between the support member (50) and the distributing element (100), which keeps the distributing element (100) under pressure on the upper cover (70) using the pressure applied by the support member (50). As shown in FIG. 5, the support member (50) which is engaged to the transmission shaft (110) and fixed between the upper cover (70) and the body (20) is disposed on the upper portion of the distributing element (100). Thus, the fan-shaped distributing element (100) is guaranteed to contact the upper cover (70).

As shown in FIG. 3, powder shaker apparatus (10) elements are positioned appropriately and assembled by means of attaching the upper body (21) to the lower body (22). Upper cover (70) is fixed to the lower body (22) by way of rotation, thereby positioned in a way to not wiggle between the fan, the support member (50) and the upper cover (70) also thanks to the spring (60).

Powder shaker apparatus (10) according to the present invention is operated as follows: The actuator (40), which preferably runs on battery (120), is operated by pushing a button-type trigger element (30) located on the upper portion of the body (20). The distributing element (100), which is positioned between the support member (50) and the upper cover (70), starts to rotate driven by the actuator (40) through the transmission shaft (110). Accordingly, powder material over the upper cover (70) starts to flow through the holes. In another embodiment of the invention, the lower cover (71) is turned to completely stop the powder material flow or set flow rate depending on the position of holes on the upper cover (70) and the lower cover (71). After use, the trigger element (30) is manipulated again to stop the actuator (40). 

1. A powder shaker apparatus to ensure dispensation of powder or granular materials from a container equally at a desired amount and rate, comprising: a body to store and release the material to be dispensed; an actuator to perform rotary motion using energy drawn from a connected power supply; an upper cover disposed at a lower portion of the body, wherein powder or granular material is dispensed through holes formed on it; a distributing element which moves and directs material accumulated on the upper cover towards the holes formed on the upper cover; and a transmission shaft connecting the actuator to the distributing element, which transmits the rotary movement from the actuator to the distributing element.
 2. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a lower cover attached to a lower section of the upper cover in a rotatable manner, which helps with adjusting the amount of powder material to be dispensed or completely stops the flow depending on the position of holes on the lower cover compared to the position of holes formed on the upper cover.
 3. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a fixing element to tie together the upper cover and the lower cover.
 4. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a trigger element which is located on the body and controls the operation of the actuator.
 5. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a support member which is engaged to the transmission shaft and fixed between the upper cover and the body and disposed on the upper portion of the distributing element; and a spring positioned between the support member and the distributing element, which keeps the distributing element under pressure on the upper cover using the pressure applied by the support member.
 6. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a holding element attached to the lower portion of the body, which contacts a button located at a lower section of the actuator that readies the actuator for operation and stores the material to be dispensed.
 7. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a cone-shaped support member which opens the lower portion of the protective wall storing the material inside the holding element to dispense the material over the upper cover.
 8. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the said body comprises attachable and detachable two parts, namely an upper body which holds the actuator, and a lower body which stores the material to be dispensed in the holding element.
 9. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the said distributing element is fan-shaped.
 10. The powder shaker apparatus according to claim 6, comprising a cone-shaped support member which opens the lower portion of the protective wall storing the material inside the holding element to dispense the material over the upper cover. 